Supreme Court allows Texas abortion clinics to reopen

A divided U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the enforcement of a draconian Texas anti-abortion law that had forced the closure of a majority of abortion clinics in America’s second-most populous state.

By a 6-3 vote, the high court vacated a ruling by the conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that had allowed the law to go fully into effect. It stayed a provision that requires clinics providing abortion to meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers across Texas.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas: On the losing side as colleagues block key provision of Texas anti-abortion law.

A trio of conservative justices — Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito — voted in favor of letting the Texas law go fully into effect while opponents pursue federal court appeals. The law is expected to end up before the Supreme Court.

“Tomorrow, 13 clinics across the state will be allowed to reopen and provide women with safe and legal abortion care in their own communities,” Nancy Northup, president/CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

Republican officials in Texas have defended the provision, saying it is intended to protect women’s health. Were it legally possible, however, they would outlaw abortion.

Women’s groups have responded that the law essentially establishes Interstate 35 as a divide, eliminating abortion services for women over a vast swath of west and north Texas.

The law “went national” last year. Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis staged an 11-hour filibuster that temporarily blocked its enactment. Gov. Rick Perry called a special session of the Legislature, in which Republicans succeeded in ramming through the bill.

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, and Sen. Wendy Davis, D-FortWorth, right, talk as the Texas Senate debates an abortion bill, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, and Sen. Wendy Davis, D-FortWorth, right, talk as the Texas Senate debates an abortion bill, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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People on both sides of the abortion debate demonstrate during the debate of the abortion restriction bill, Friday July 12, 2013 at the Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM less

People on both sides of the abortion debate demonstrate during the debate of the abortion restriction bill, Friday July 12, 2013 at the Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion opponent Katherine Aguillar, middle, struggles to keep her sign raised during the debate of the abortion restriction bill, Friday July 12, 2013 at the Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM less

Abortion opponent Katherine Aguillar, middle, struggles to keep her sign raised during the debate of the abortion restriction bill, Friday July 12, 2013 at the Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Austin ... more

Photo: AP

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Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, left, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, and Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, right, walk into the Capitol rotunda as the Texas Senate takes a break from their debate an abortion bill, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, left, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, and Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, right, walk into the Capitol rotunda as the Texas Senate takes a break from their debate an abortion ... more

Photo: AP

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Hallie Boas motions that she was prohibited from bringing gynecological speculums into the Senate Gallery in the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, July 12, 2013. Many demonstrators brought gynecological devices to the Capitol to symbolically personalize women's issues. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, has scheduled a vote for Friday on the same restrictions on when, where and how women may obtain abortions in Texas that failed to become law after a Democratic filibuster and raucous protesters were able to run out the clock on an earlier special session. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Hallie Boas motions that she was prohibited from bringing gynecological speculums into the Senate Gallery in the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Friday, July 12, 2013. Many demonstrators brought gynecological ... more

Photo: AP

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Linda Maska and Theresa Maska, 8, hold anti-abortion rights signs outside of the Senate Gallery in the State Capitol in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, has scheduled a vote for Friday on the same restrictions on when, where and how women may obtain abortions in Texas that failed to become law after a Democratic filibuster and raucous protesters were able to run out the clock on an earlier special session. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Linda Maska and Theresa Maska, 8, hold anti-abortion rights signs outside of the Senate Gallery in the State Capitol in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol's rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, has scheduled a vote for Friday on the same restrictions on when, where and how women may obtain abortions in Texas that failed to become law after a Democratic filibuster and raucous protesters were able to run out the clock on an earlier special session. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol's rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, has scheduled a vote for Friday on ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion opponent Brandice Nelson, left, and abortion rights supporter Leslie Tisdale demonstrate at the Capitol in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate's leader, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, has scheduled a vote for Friday on the same restrictions on when, where and how women may obtain abortions in Texas that failed to become law after a Democratic filibuster and raucous protesters were able to run out the clock on an earlier special session. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner) less

Opponents and supporters of abortion rights rally in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Opponents and supporters of abortion rights rally in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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Theresa Maska holds a sign supporting anti-abortion legislation outside the Texas Senate as they prepare to debate an abortion bill, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Theresa Maska holds a sign supporting anti-abortion legislation outside the Texas Senate as they prepare to debate an abortion bill, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to ... more

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A supporter of an abortion bill walks through the rotunda outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A supporter of an abortion bill walks through the rotunda outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require ... more

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A supporter an abortion bill reads the Bible while in line outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A supporter an abortion bill reads the Bible while in line outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require ... more

Photo: AP

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Assistant sergeant of arms Will Wassdorf sets up a display with rules for the gallery outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Assistant sergeant of arms Will Wassdorf sets up a display with rules for the gallery outside the Texas Senate chambers as he final vote by the Senate is expected to begin, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, ... more

Photo: AP

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Opponents and supporters of abortion rights rally in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Opponents and supporters of abortion rights rally in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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An anti-abortion rights supporter prays on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

An anti-abortion rights supporter prays on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of ... more

Photo: AP

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Anti-abortion rights supporter Katherine Aguilar holds a crucifix and prays while opponents and supporters of abortion rights gather in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Anti-abortion rights supporter Katherine Aguilar holds a crucifix and prays while opponents and supporters of abortion rights gather in the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Tamir Kalifa) less

Abortion rights supporters rally on the floor of the State Capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the ... more

Photo: AP

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Supporters and opponents of an abortion bill, mostly dressed in blue or orange to show their side, sit in the gallery of the Texas Senate chambers as lawmakers debate before the final vote, Friday, July 12, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Supporters and opponents of an abortion bill, mostly dressed in blue or orange to show their side, sit in the gallery of the Texas Senate chambers as lawmakers debate before the final vote, Friday, July 12, ... more

Photo: AP

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Abortion rights supporter Sarah Pope, left, and abortion opponent Katherine Aguillar, second from left, demonstrate at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, while the Texas Senate debates the abortion restriction bill, House Bill 2, on Friday July 12, 2013. The Texas Senate convened Friday afternoon to debate and ultimately vote on some of the nation's toughest abortion restrictions, its actions being watched by fervent demonstrators on either side of the issue. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, INTERNET MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM less

Abortion rights supporter Sarah Pope, left, and abortion opponent Katherine Aguillar, second from left, demonstrate at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, while the Texas Senate debates the abortion restriction ... more

Photo: AP

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Supreme Court allows Texas abortion clinics to reopen

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Davis became a hero to women’s rights groups across the country, and is this year’s Democratic nominee for governor of Texas.

The favorite to win, however, is Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott, an outspoken advocate of the abortion law who has overseen its legal defense. While demographic trends give Democrats hope, Texas has had an all-Republican slate of statewide officials since George W. Bush was elected governor in 1994.

Perry is now the nation’s longest-serving governor.

The Supreme Court also vacated, in part, a second 5th Circuit ruling. The Texas law requires that doctors performing abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The high court vacated the provision for hospitals in McAllen and El Paso, Texas. A.G. Abbott had argued that El Paso women could go to nearby New Mexico for abortions.

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, said in a statement: “We’re relieved that the court stepped in to stop this, and we hope this dangerous law is ultimately overturned completely.”